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Madagascar is running out of time to prevent rapidly worsening food insecurity from becoming a deeper emergency.

Around 80 percent of the population lives below the international poverty line, while more than three-quarters of households depend on agriculture. Limited market access and low productivity leave families highly exposed to climatic and economic shocks.

Around 2.1 million people are facing Crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3+). This was projected to rise to 3.7 million people by the start of the lean season in October 2026, including 426,000 people facing Emergency levels (IPC Phase 4) in the Grand Sud.

Repeated poor harvests, fewer agricultural jobs, and rising food prices are restricting access to food. A strong El Niño could further reduce harvests and incomes, raise food prices and prolong the lean season. Another cyclone season is approaching while many families are still recovering from cyclones Fytia and Gezani.

The World Food Programme (WFP) combines anticipatory action with emergency food, cash and nutrition assistance. WFP also supports school meals, climate-resilient livelihoods, agricultural insurance and logistics services.

However, funding shortfalls are forcing WFP to prioritize only the most vulnerable people, leaving many without support. 

What the World Food Programme is doing in Madagascar

Disasters preparedness

WFP supports emergency preparedness and response through logistics, technical expertise, training and equipment for national and local authorities. In Madagascar's disaster-prone regions, WFP pre-positions resources to enable rapid humanitarian response when shocks occur. As climate risks intensify, WFP is expanding anticipatory action approaches that help vulnerable households prepare before droughts and cyclones strike. These include anticipatory cash assistance, climate-risk analysis and early-warning messages that enable families to protect food stocks, productive assets and livelihoods before losses occur. WFP also works with government institutions and humanitarian partners to strengthen early-warning systems and preparedness for future climate shocks.

Partners and Donors

Achieving Zero Hunger is the work of many. Our work in Madagascar is made possible by the support and collaboration of our partners and donors, including:
Australia Bangladesh Belgium (multilateral) Canada Denmark (multilateral)

Contacts

Office

2nd floor, Business Center d’ Alarobia - Enceinte Novotel Ankorondrano BP 4199
101 Antananarivo
Madagascar

Phone
+261 032 07 137 01; +261 032 07 137 09
Fax
+261 20 22 322 99
For media inquiries